Radio Network Configuration and Management System

Radio Network Configuration and Management System

Radio Network Configuration and Management System Needs In today s competitive marketplace, operators are focused on reducing their OPEX, keeping CAPEX at reasonable level and optimizing their network productivity. Addressing potential inefficiencies that can arise from managing large, complex networks has become an opportunity to improve a operators network management cost health. Operators willing to seize this opportunity need a tool that enables some processes in operating the network to be more efficient. Solution Ipix provides Numatix, Radio Network Configuration and Management System that centralizes the management of radio access network (RAN) configuration from multiple vendors. The software empowers carriers to reduce their network operating expenses by reducing the time and complexity associated with day-to-day RAN parameters maintenance procedures. These maintenance procedures, such as loading new configuration into RAN network elements (NE) and parameters auditing can be labour-intensive and therefore costly and potentially prone to human error. The Numatix software supports the transition from a distributed network model, where each central office performs its own maintenance and provisioning, to a centralized network model, where significant cost savings and service quality improvements can be realized. Savings Numatix demonstrates that operational expenses can be reduced while significantly increasing network survivability and security. Each operator and individual network, operates differently, providing unique opportunities to improve its efficiency. Functions which are vendor specific can be quantified in a standard way by using Numatix to be understood in same manner by all necessary staff giving understanding how a management system can help reduce costs. An unquantifiable aspect of network management also exists - persistent surveillance of the network parameters plan and almost real-time information about the status of network configuration. When combined, the savings and enhanced reliability of network operations using Numatix software are unbeatable. Why Numatix? Since expenses for operating complex networks must be reduced, operators are looking for advanced software tools to make the management of the network more cost-effective. When network monitoring and parameterization is performed regularly, more rapidly and with high level of process security, the network reliability is improved. Numatix software from Ipix offers enhanced network reliability and performance while reducing operations costs. Day-to-day tasks can be automated, and advanced graphical interfaces reduce operator errors and speed delivery of changes to the network. Network maintenance time is reduced through powerful network configuration auditing utilities and data analysis tools. www.ipix.eu

makes radio network better! Numatix is an innovative and unique software solution for multi-vendor network configuration and radio resources management. It helps wireless operators to ensure the best quality and performance of their GSM, UMTS, LTE, CDMA2000 or WiMAX network. Numatix is a robust and advanced system with wide capabilities of mobile network analysis, troubleshooting and optimisation. It is also integrated with Mentum Planet wireless network planning & optimization software. Numatix offers a rich functionality and a number of effective mechanisms and algorithms, which improve the overall efficiency and reliability of the radio network. Numatix integrates the data of thousands of network objects and parameters. It provides a full range of crucial data required for network changes and adjustment, as well as for quality control and optimization. Numatix significantly reduces the time needed for network re-configuration, minimizes errors regarding changes to the OSS and limits the need for vendor support during the process. A wide selection of customizations make network maintenance easier and more functional. Numatix brings a cutting-edge and customer-proven radio network configuration and management tool, which allows operators to plainly restrict OPEX. Numatix offers a perfect platform for making networkwide changes and editing the parameters of all network elements. It supports multivendor, multi-technology and multi-oss network configuration. Numatix system Numatix includes a valuable wireless network analysis and optimisation functions for network performance monitoring, troubleshooting, rollout planning and radio resource allocation optimization. Numatix provides network analysis and reporting tool for drive-test and probes measurements. It enables data importing and verification, KPIs and KQIs calculation (ETSI compliant) and generating reports.

Network configuration and management Numatix offers the perfect platform for the configuration and management of radio networks. The system has unique architecture which provides interfaces to different OSS, supports customer-specific data sources, and enables its use as a central repository of data, regardless of network generation and the vendors underlying infrastructure. Network configuration and management main features: Multi-vendor, multi-technology, multi-oss configuration support. Easy and efficient adjacencies management (automatic foreign cells management): inter and intra technology, inter and intra OSS, inter and intra vendor adjacency support. Browsing and changing network parameters (network objects hierarchy presentation, parameter presets for value changes, value change validation, easy updates of large objects sets, spreadsheet cooperation). Exporting to the OSS (export schemes, object type and parameter filters, automatic export of dependent objects, validation of exported data). GIS support (presentation of adjacencies, cells, layers, OSS statistics, network objects parameters). Built-in algorithms used for additional configuration validation. Task scheduling for time consuming and complex operations. Unified logical network elements and parameters model. Integration with Mentum Planet leading wireless network planning & optimization software. Web Service or database interface for integration with other customers system. Numatix supports RF engineers in their routine or advanced tasks, by providing user-friendly and convenient mechanisms and operations; e.g. GIS aided adjacencies management, effective reconfiguration of thousands of parameters, or an easy export process into different OSS.

Network-wide changes in a few steps Numatix periodically retrieves data from OSS (configuration data) and network elements (hardware, software, license inventory data). It can also easily integrate other operator-specific data sources. The system subsequently provides configuration algorithms, that automatically check the database integrity and data accuracy. In the case of configuration problems, it notifies designated engineers and suggests data changes. Numatix gathers and provides information about the whole radio network and allows the creation of networkwide configuration plans; for managing adjacencies, preparing rehomings, applying frequency changes and reconfiguring network objects in a desired way. Numatix facilitates navigation through the thicket of data, by using advanced finding, grouping and filtering functions or limiting the set of visible parameters to the most significant or popular. Numatix enables RF engineers to prepare export files with one command, based on automatically validated and corrected plans. It allows uploading of the export files to the OSS automatically or, depending on the operators policy, with an engineer s assistance. The system provides verification procedures to check whether the radio network has been changed accordingly to the exported files. Numatix includes also an on-demand OSS data replication feature to help engineers in tasks requiring an immediate response. This allows the delivery of results of any network changes in just minutes. Workflow

Network optimization Numatix is used also for the analysis and optimization of radio networks. It includes network performance monitoring, troubleshooting, fault detection and diagnosis, rollout planning and radio resources optimization. The software supports the determining and reporting of Quality of Service (QoS) and Quality of Experience (QoE), as well as presents KPIs and KQIs results derived from network measurements. Numatix allows effective radio network optimization by providing a set of modular, built-in algorithms. It furthermore includes an environment for the users to build their own algorithms, and advanced tools for editing, running and managing exisiting algorithms. Numatix also supports a wide range of data; from customer trouble tickets and OSS statistics to drive test data and configuration data, combining them into a single source of data for analysis. Defining and importing an engineer s own data sources is also available. Network optimization main features: Integrated environment for Python scripts creation, with automated syntax validation and convenient source code fulfilment. API library with flexible mechanism for easy access to all the data stored in Numatix database, or for acquiring data from external databases by executing SQL queries. Presentation of the results of optimization processes with maps, dedicated windows or charts. Execution of built-in algorithms on selected data domain (e.g. workspace objects, geographical selection). Using the results of optimization processes as an input data for other algorithms. Results presentation on Google Earth and MapX. Among the many built-in algorithms offered by Numatix are: Antennas tilt optimization, Missing neighbours detection, Interferers elimination, Missing dominant detection, Finding primary area to extend, Finding the most urgent area to repair, Soft handover failure cause detection, Switched feeder cables detection.

Network improvements with every algorithm s run Numatix system imports data from various sources and presents them in a consistent way. Data includes RF network configuration which should be optimized (e.g. cells, adjacencies, tilts) and necessary data to be analyzed at the same time: Data periodically retrieved from OSS (basic configuration data), Data available online in external databases (OSS statistics, customer trouble tickets), Data imported to Numatix database on demand (e.g. drive test data). Defining and importing from the client s own data sources is also available. Numatix contains a set of predefined algorithms for network analysis, optimization, rollout planning and troubleshooting. Using the python script editor and the dedicated API library, it is possible to create an engineer s own algorithms and define input parameters, the type of data to be analyzed and the results format. Algorithms in Numatix may directly change parameters in the configuration plan or only return a list of suggested changes. Moreover, algorithms can be easily made accessible for other system users, and executed manually or according to a schedule, which is very useful when monitoring the state of the network. The results can be presented on a map, charts or in grid control, as well as exported. Workflow

Network analysis Numatix includes mechanisms for radio network analysis and reporting. It supports post-processing of collected data from drive & stationary tests, benchmarking & troubleshooting tests and quality & performance measurements. Numatix helps in reliable auditing of radio networks by providing advanced and flexible tools for measurement data verification, KPIs and KQIs calculations, data exporting and generating detailed reports. All processes are automated with full control and configuration capabilities for an engineer. Network analysis main features: Quick post-processing of collected data, which includes calculations of over 50 types of KPIs and KQIs, statistical analysis and decoding of RRC and L2/L3 messages. Methodology of calculation consistent with ITU-T, ETSI and 3GPP recommendations. Data import from multi-vendor measurement systems, automated data division into campaigns, sessions and measurement loops. Parameters and indicators calculation based on different level of aggregation. Limiting analysis range by selecting desired area on a map (e.g. particular town or road) with two map components: Google Earth and MapX. Analyzing data in multi-option and user-friendly environment. Displaying actual or historical network topology and configuration parameters. Planning and scheduling measurement scenarios. Automatic report generation, based on measurements results and ready-made or user-defined templates.

Complete network picture by using over 50 key indicators Numatix allows the automatic or manual import of measurement data into the database, depending on measurements availability status and scheduled dedicated tasks. During an import process, embedded layers are calculated in the same manner, regardless a measurement equipment vendor. The measurement data is organized at the user s discretion, therefore it is easier to locate demanded data during analysis process. Afterwards chosen measurement sessions can be analyzed by executing built-in algorithms, browsing embedded layers and plotting charts. Numatix enables e.g. viewing driving routes and interesting measurement events or calculating indicators using GIS components. In order to effectively investigate network problems Numatix provides an access to actual and historical basic configuration data (cell parameters, adjacencies configuration, network topology). Therefore it is easier to locate and obtain required information. The next step of the analysis and reporting process in Numatix is KPIs and KQIs calculations. Indicators and other key parameters may be calculated or averaged on different level of aggregation (e.g. single connection, hour, day or campaign). Methodology of the calculation is consistent with ETSI recommendations. The process ends with generation of a report, which includes analysis and calculation results, presented in tables, charts or on maps, together with conclusions. Workflow

Numatix architecture and technology Architecture The heart of the Numatix system is central server with SQL databases, where all the data is stored (i.a. configuration data, analysis data and results, logs and system configuration data). Client s workstation with Numatix GUI (fat client type) is directly connected to the server. Data exchange between the configuration tool and external systems is done in two ways; first, by using server applications, in order to replicate and export data e.g. from/to OSS, antennas management system or inventory system, as well as to import data from measurement systems, second, by using IIS/Webservice and plain text files (csv), xml or xls, in order to import and export data e.g. from/to planning tool or other external systems. Technology Numatix uses modern and proven technologies, i.a.: SQL Server, IIS, Webservice + SOAP/MTOM Corba, Cnai, binary data sources, Oracle, Sybase, C, C++, C++ CLI, C#, T-SQL, Python, Infragistics NetAdvantage, Windows Forms, GoogleEarth, MapInfo MapX, System requirements Platform: MS Windows XP/Vista/W7/Server, Database: MSSQL 2008, Interfaces: direct database access or Webservice, Workstation: 2GB RAM, 2x2GHz processor, 1GB HDD, Server: 16GB RAM, 8x2GHz processor, 4x400GB HDD + 15x300GB matrix, Application server (optional): 8GB RAM, 4x80GB HDD, 8x2GHz processor. Architecture

Ipix is an innovative and experienced ICT company and software vendor, established in 1992 and focused on mobile telecommunications market since 1996. Ipix offers wireless operators highly specialized solutions and services, including Numatix Radio Network Configuration and Management System, that enables easy and effective management of multi-vendor and multi-technology networks. Numatix is also dedicated for network analysis and optimisation and integrated with Mentum Planet planning software. Ipix has long-term experience in the development and implementation of advanced and dedicated systems for network maintenace and development departments. It also has expertise in delivery integration solutions and providing testing, analyzing and consulting services to mobile companies, as well as in supporting their business processes. Ipix, as a successful group of professionals, is able to offer knowledge and partnership in the resolution of most of the problems related to contemporary radio access networks. It uses the power of technology to provide not only the cutting-edge software systems, but also business and know-how support. It is the most appreciated added value of the Ipix company, that helps operators to ensure the best quality and performance of their networks. Ipix s.c. Warowna 3/1, 02-654 Warsaw, Poland tel/fax: +48 22 493 08 58 e-mail: sales@ipix.eu www.ipix.eu